Looking for Mabel Normand

RAGGEDY ROSE

1^st film

Copyright: October 26, 1926, Hal Roach-Pathe, 3 reels

Release date: November 7, 1926

Director:  Richard Wallace in collaboration with Stan Laurel

Photography: Floyd Jackman and Jack Roach

Edited by: Richard Currier

Titles by: H.M. Walker

Cast: Alta Allen, Max Davidson, James Finlayson, Anita Garvin, Laura Lavarnie, Jerry Mandy, Carl Miller, Mabel Normand.

Location: Roach Studio, Culver City, California

Plot: A ragamuffin (Mabel) who worked for a junk dealer (Max Davidson) is fired.  She plots to get into a hospital but lands in the home of the rich hero (Carl Miller) whom she mistakes for a doctor.  Mabel fights off a gold digger (Anita Garvin) and her mother (Laura Lavarnie) and in the end gets her man.

Comments:  In these days of political correctness, Max Davidson’s character would be viewed as more than just over the top, but within the context of 1926 Max and Mabel make a rather funny team.  The movie uses many recycled gags and a new one: the automobile completely falling apart with little impact.  It’s a gag that would become as ubiquitous as a pie in the face, also identified with Mabel.